The Honourable David See-Chai Lam

“The world is changing whether we like it or not. It’s so important that change becomes our friend and not our enemy.” – Dr. David See-Chai Lam

The former Lieutenant-General of British Columbia, the Honourable David See-Chai Lam, has made an indelible mark not only of the landscape of Vancouver, but also on the educational and research environment of UBC.

Dr. Lam was born in Hong Kong, the grandson of a Baptist minister. He received an Economics degree at Lingnan University, Guangzhou, and an MBA from Temple University in Philadelphia. After working as a banker in Hong Kong for 18 years, Dr. Lam immigrated to Vancouver in 1967 with his wife Dorothy, and three daughters. Although he arrived in Canada with very little, Dr. Lam acquired his diploma in Real Estate Appraisal and over the next 15 years excelled in the real estate and development arena and began his own investment firm. After 1982, after retiring from the business world, Dr. Lam began to dedicate more of his time and considerable talents to philanthropy, focusing much of his attention on cultural causes.

The David Lam Management Library is currently under construction.

Dr. David Lam has been a stalwart supporter of education and culture at UBC Library, UBC, and throughout Vancouver for years. He provided the support needed to open the David Lam Management Research Library in the Sauder School of Business in 1985. In addition, the David Lam Chair in Multicultural Education in the Department of Education is devoted to providing leadership in research, teaching, and the application of knowledge on multicultural issues, a particularly relevant and important area of study in culturally-rich Vancouver. Further, Dr. Lam also played a key role in the creation of the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival.

Over the years, Dr. Lam has been recognized for his accomplished life. In 1988 he was sworn in as British Columbia’s 25th Lieutenant-Governor, and was also made a Member of the Order of Canada. Dr. Lam has also been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from The University of British Columbia, and subsequent degrees were also awarded by Baylor University (1990), Simon Fraser University (1991), Eastern College (1991), Royal Roads Military College (1991), and Hong Kong Baptist College (1992).

The Hon. David Lam has led a life full of amazing accomplishments, generous gifts, and true passion for those in need. Attributing this success to his combination of Christian and Confucian values, Dr. Lam is an ideal example of what is possible when an environment of acceptance, a thirst for knowledge, and a desire to assist others come together.

The David Lam Management Research Library at UBC

For more information on the David Lam Management Research Library, visit their website.